[Moyashi]

Hi, I am writing an essay and would like to know the date that Abyssinia was renamed Ethiopia. So far I can't find the answer anywhere. Does anyone know the answer? Even the year would do. Thanks.

[MrJohnDClare]

http://www.africanfront.com/ says it was in 1963, 'as a tribute to Pan-Africanism'.
Apparently, 'Abyssinia' comes from the name of a Semitic (ie Arabian) tribe, where 'Ethopia' is believed to derive from words meaning 'burnt skin', and focusses more on the people's black African heritage.

Another webpage on the African Front site says:

'In 1963 Haile Selasie in an effort to unite Africa, proposed to re-rename the African continent, Ethiopia. He then renamed Abyssinia, so that it is now called the Republic of Ethiopia ... and bacame the Chief Spokes person for the liberation and unification of Africa. Addis Ababa, was then made the capital city of Africa and the headquaters of the Organization of African Unity.
The masses of Africans (especially those resident outside Abyssinia), and most whom were poor and desparate, began to see Emperor Haile Selasie as pan African-nationalist hero.

[Moyashi]

Awesome! Thank you so much.

[MrJohnDClare]

A pleasure